Texas Rangers Blog

Josh Hamilton on what it’s like to face David Price at Tropicana Field: ‘It sucks’

ARLINGTON – As Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland often says, momentum in baseball is only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher.

For the Rays in Game 3 on Monday, the man attempting to halt the Rangers’ momentum is David Price. The 26-year-old lefty, who posted a 3.21 ERA and 0-1 record against the Rangers this season, has pitched exceptionally well against a Rangers outfielder that was drafted by Tampa Bay.

In his 13 times facing Josh Hamilton, Price has allowed only two hits. The Rangers center fielder was asked Saturday night about hitting against Price at Tropicana Field.

“In the dome, it sucks,” Hamilton quickly responded. “I was messing with him at the All-Star Game and said, ‘I hope we get to face you some time in Texas.’ But you got to take it as it comes, just try to go over there and battle him. He’s similar to Matt Moore (the Game 1 winner for the Rays), but Price throws a little heavier ball.”

So, what’s different about facing him in St. Petersburg?

“Who knows,” Hamilton responded. “Everything happens for a reason. I’m not playing there anymore. But it’s better than it used to be for me.”

Hamilton, who the Rays selected with the first overall pick in 1999, has 10 hits in 58 plate appearances at Tropicana Field.